Explore six sweet spaces designed to give smaller family members a fun and sophisticated bedroom

School’s out and it’s time to play! Start small with fresh style updates or gog big with a major makeover, inspired by these six cute spots

1 A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

Create a customised space, just for them Using several different storage modules from IKEA and a large dose of ingenuity, stylist and blogger Holly Marder (avenuelifestyle.com) created a wardrobe, bookshelf, reading nook and desk for her daughter, Lola. It was quite a complicated exercise because of some exposed pipes (now hidden behind the unit) but the result is elegantly simple and also personal, thanks to the artwork, colourful rug and comfy cushions. So simple A length of string hung on the wall above the desk is all you need to display small artwork, photos or postcards.

2 WITH FLYING COLOURS

Put their treasures on display In a nursery, you really do have free rein to go with a theme of all-out-adorable. Perth-based interior style blogger Tarina Lyell (oheightohnine. com.au) chose a few clean-lined furniture pieces – including an Oeuf dresser from UrbanBaby – then layered up with a selection of tonal toys and tactile textiles. The soft surfaces and toy storage sack mean the space works as a playroom, too. So cute It’s an old trick, but a goodie: exhibit a special wardrobe item on the wall and put little shoes on display. The tiny scale makes them completely irresistible.

3 FAIRYTALE ROMANCE

Decide on a theme and go for it! When it came time for the transition from cot to ‘big girl’ bed for her daughter Frankie, Hannah Whitehead of Blonde & Bone (blondeandbone.com) chose a charming and slightly distressed French provincial-style bed from Early Settler then dressed it with pale pink and dove grey linens and a dusty pink cotton canopy. Cue sighs from mothers of sons everywhere. So sweet While kids are young enough to defer to your opinion, hide bright plastic toys out of sight in boxes and display only beautiful, handmade or sentimental pieces.

4 JUST THE TWO OF US

Keep the peace with a zone for two Decorating a shared bedroom means allowing some space for individuality, while keeping the overall scheme cohesive. Finnish photographer and stylist Riikka Kantinkoski (weekdaycarnival. blogspot.com.au) chose a sophisticated grey and white palette but added playful Sian Zeng ‘Dino’ wallpaper on one side of the room and gave each of her sons their own shelves for display. She says the room is now much more restful than its previous colourful incarnation. So tidy A basket for each child helps them to put their own toys away. In theory, at least.

5 CREATIVE PURSUITS

Hold crafternoons in a designated spot Toddler Harry loves cars and dinosaurs, so his mum, Kate Sparks, who happens to be an interior designer specialising in kids’ rooms, pulled out all the stops and obliged with a cool race track decal from The Little Kidz Closet and a teeny chalkboard table from Lilly & Lolly for crafty activities. A boring corner is now a hive of activity. See more of Kate’s work at littledwellings.com.au. So precious While there are plenty of toys at Harry’s level, Kate installed wall shelves above his reach (for now) to display keepsake pieces that might not stand up to everyday dinosaur hunts.

6 GOING ON A TREASURE HUNT

Keep an eye out for the perfect pieces The children of stylists clearly have an unfair advantage, but luckily Brooke Castel (find her at @brookecastelstylist) is also happy to share her sources on Instagram. She name-checks the Olive Et Oriel print, pink Mooi Baby rug, Little Connoisseur floor cushion and old IKEA toddler bed and wardrobe – both found on Gumtree – in this pretty-as-a-picture room, belonging to her daughter, Lacey. So chic The pale palette hints at Scandi style, with Brooke even painting the inside of the wardrobe to fit the scheme.